Tackling Race Inequalities

The Government has responded to the persistent challenges posed by race inequalities by launching the 'Tackling Race Inequalities Fund' (The Fund). Launched in February 2009, it is specifically targeted at voluntary and community sector organisations operating in England. The Fund, managed by the Communities and Local Government department, has made available up to ₤6 million over two years from July 2009 - March 2010 and April 2010 – March 2011. The Fund is supporting organisations who:

Promote equality of opportunity for people from BAME groups.

Address inequalities of access and reduce gaps in outcomes for people from BAME groups in a range of public services, including education, health, housing and the criminal justice system and in employment.

Carry out research into issues relating to race equality to increase the evidence base of the challenges facing BAME communities and approaches to tackle them.

Increase levels of civic participation, volunteering or representation in civic or political institutions among people from BAME groups.

Work with local bodies promoting race equality to help them work more effectively, including supporting the victims of racially motivated crimes.

Work with particular disadvantaged people with BAME groups including women, young people and people with disabilities.

BTEG is addressing three key themes for our two year project:

POLICY: Address inequalities of access and reduce gaps in outcomes for people from BAME groups
Through this strand of the project we produce high quality policy development briefings and publications, and disseminate information at national, regional and local events, and through the website. We also engage our stakeholders in debates online. We exploit our position as a respected national organisation and proactively influence debate and thinking at the national and local levels with access to Ministers and civil servants and direct connections to regional and local BAME voluntary and community sector organisations. BTEG is a member of central government or national advisory groups (Department for Business Innovation and Skills/Department for Education/Department for Work and Pensions/Communities and Local Government) and is also a member of the Olympic Delivery Authority's Inclusion Group. We primarily focus on three vital areas: education; employment; and skills. Self-employment also features in our work and we highlight wider race equality issues, e.g. the criminal justice system.

RESEARCH: Carry out research into issues relating to race equality
This research project extends the work we are doing in partnership with the Windsor Fellowship on the REACH national role model programme. Whereas the REACH programme activities focuses primarily on the role models and developing the capacity of local organizations, the aim of this research project is to focus on BAME families with vulnerable young boys in three regions. BTEG will bring together small focus groups of BAME families to discuss issues and challenges that they are facing which they would welcome support and guidance. Central to the focus group activities would be a focus on solutions, signposting to local agencies and small scale pilots. BTEG will be in dialogue with local agencies to encourage fresh thinking and services. As a result we want to identify common themes, workable solutions and develop national guidance to share with policy makers.

LOCAL ENGAGEMENT: Work with local bodies promoting race equality to help them work more effectively
Our aim is to strengthen local BAME groups and build their capacity so that they can have a positive impact and influence on their LSP. This includes supporting existing BAME forums and helping to create new BAME forums where they do not exist. It is vital for local BAME forums to understand the potential and importance of the LSP structure and decision making process, as they are at the heart of tackling racial inequalities locally, particularly in relation to education and employment. Using BTEG's methodology which has been successful, we start by analysing the local area agreement, work with the local CVS which is often the third sector representative on the LSP board, then organise workshops to inform and engage local BME groups about the LSP/LAA. Another aim of this programme is to enable at least 12 local BAME forums to network and share experience through the website, therefore learning from each other. We want to further develop our website so that there is a practical resource for local BAME forums, i.e. statistical equalities information, examples of good practice from other BAME forums, lists of speakers, etc.